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.(No Model.) a'sheets-sneet 1.

- L. Lx DRIGGS.

`MOUNT FOR FIELD ARTILLBRY.

,506 Patented Jan. 19, 1897.

3 Sheets-Svne-t 2.

(No Model.)

L. L. DRIGGS. MOUNT POR FIELD ARTILLBRY.

No. 575.506. Patented Jan. 19, 1897.

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(No Model.)V 3 Sheets-'Sheet 3 1.9L. DRIGGS. `MOUNT FOR ARTILL'ERY. A1\'1.'575,5oz^. Patenteduan. 19,1897.

www# l l n 'i A, Wm www? www y HQ :Mag-5 l LOUIS -LABADIE DRIGGS, OF VASHINGTON. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

MOUNT Fon FIELD-ARVHLLERY.

SPECIFICATION-forming part of Letters Patent No. 575,506, dated anuary 19, 1897.

I Application tiled March 20, 1896. Serial No. 584,167. (No model.)

Be it known that I, LOUIS LABADIE Dulces, a citizen of the United States, residing at lvashington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Iniprovements in Mounts for Field-Artillery; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the in vention,such as will enable others skilled-in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. l

My invention relates to improvements in mounts for field-artillery; and it consists in certain novel features hereinafter described and claimed.

Reference is had to the accompanying drawings, in which the same parts are indicated by the same letters throughout the several views.

Figure 1 represents a side elevation of the im proved field-mount, one of the wheels being removed for the sake of clearnessin the drawing and the axle being shown in section. Fig. represents a section along the broken line 2 2 of Fig. 3 and looking to the left. Fig. 3 represents a section along the line 3 3 of Fig. 2 and looking to the right. Fig. 4 represents a rear view, partly in section, of the elevating and training gear. Fig. 5 represents a plan view ofpart of the field-mount, the gun being removed. l Fig. (l is a perspective view of thc bracket plate or frame used in the traininggear. Fig. 7 represents a section along the line '7 7 of Fig. 4, and Fig. 8 represents asection along the line 8 8 of Fig. 5 and looking in the direction of the arrows. sent-s a rear view of the lower end of the trail;

A represents the body of the gun,`whichis c, which passes through the cap-piece C', at'

tached to the saddle C by means of the pins c. This saddle is provided with ribs c2 and the neck c, terminating in the base-piece, which is bored out with hydraulic cylinders O2, constructed to allow a graduated recoil inauy of the well-known ways. The upper portion of Fig. 9 repre-y with dovetailed ribs c6, adapted to engage in the slideway d3 of the slide D. The basepiece may also beprovided withribs c5, pro jecting above the upper edge of the said slideway. The travel of the saddle inthe slide is limited by the pistonfrods E, carrying the pistons E, which move in the hydraulic cylinders C2. The cylinders inclose the springs F,which tend to return the gun to the initial or ring position. These piston-rods E are connected to the yoke-piece d of the slide D in any convenient way, such, for instance, as is shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 5. The slide D is provided With ribs d' and lugs d2, encircling the axle G. These libs d are bolted to the cheek-pieces H of the trail H, and are preferably strengthened by cross-ribs d5, as shown in Fig. 2. Thus it will be seen that the trail I-I and the slide D are rigidly connected together andare revolubly mounted on the axle G.' .The trail may be provided With a box H2 for supply-tools or ammunition, if desired.

The lower end of the trail is provided with a cap I l3 having curved sides h6 and the usual eye h4 for the trail-rope and step h5 for the hand-spike. The spade h2 is secured to the lower rear face of this cap h3 and projects backward and downward. This spade is made integral with the plates h3 and k7, Which are.

rigidly attached to the cap H3, while the spade slopes up sidewise, as at h". these plates h3 and k7 is to prevent the spade from being forced down in the ground too far when the gun recoils. 4

The slide D is provided with ribs on the The function of I outside thereof, as at (14% between which ribs is secured the head of one of the brackets K, Y

which bracket is connected to the collar K on the axle, near the hub of the Wheel. collar is preferably made integral with the bracket K, but it may be made separate thererfrom and rigidly attached thereto, if desired.

By the herein-described construction the strain on the axle 1s in alarge measure transferred to that part of the axle near the wheel,

whereby a much lighter axle4 may be used than if no such provision-were made. The

This y s y l 575,506

pawl M, operated by a spring M', inclosed in the chamber 7u, as shown in Fig. 8. This pawl is provided with an eye m, by which it may be drawn to the rear, and it is held out of engagement with the teeth of the ratchetwhee-l N ',when desired, by means of the tongue m', which fits in a corresponding recess in the lug 7c' when the pawl is in the engaged position, as shown in Fig. 8, and yet which bears against the face of said lng when the pawl is rotated through a small angle, and thus holds the said pawl out of engagement with the teeth ofthe said ratchet-wheel N', whichv wheel is mounted on or rigidly attached to the hub N2 of the wheel N. By this arrangement the carriage may be movedto the front, as may be desired, but the wheels are locked against backward' motion, thus securing theassist- .ance of the wheels in taking'up the recoil of the gun and checking the motion of the carriage to the rear. For the same purpose the trail 'H is provided with a spade 7L, adapted te engage in the ground and to prevent the carriage from ino-ving backward the gun recoils.

The apparatus for giving the gun elevation and lateral train in thesaddle C, independent of the position of the trail H, will now be described.

A frame or casting P, provided witlf a guide-lib 19, abuts against the rear face c7 of the saddle, while the said rib p slides in the groove C8, as shown in Fig. 2. This frame is provided with two guide-sleeves p', adapted to slide on the bar Q.,spanning the Webs cfat the rear end of the saddle. This frame Pis provided with an end bracket P', screw-threaded to receive a journal-pin S,while the opposite bracket P2 is also perforated, as at p2, to receive the training-screw lV, which screw is -revolubly mounted in said openingp, but is held against longitudinal motion therein by means of the groove tu and the pin w'. (Shown most-clearly linl Figs. 4 and 8;) This trainingserew-engages inthe nut c, fast to or integral withthe saddle C. R represents a eruciform nut or sleeve pivoted at one side on Athe pin S, and provided on the opposite side with a trunnion rfr,'jour naled in a socket in the end ofthe elevatingscrew T, which screw is rotated by means of the hand-wheel T' and is held against longitudinal motion in the hollow training-screw \V by means of the circular groove p0 and the screw 1112, which latter projects into said groove and is screwed into the hub of the hand-Wheel l' T' used for training the gun in its saddle. The forward end of `this shaft T car-ries a miter-gear 2, meshing in the mitergear U, held between lthe cruciform nut or sleeve R and the extension thereof, R2, which extension is connected to the sleeve proper by the curved rib R2. This miter-gear U is splined, as `atu', on the outer screw U', which engages in a thread cut on the interior of the sleeve R, while the interior of this outer screw U' is cut with a female, thread tofreeeive the male screw V, which is securedto 'lugs a of the gun, as by means of the pin By the use of this compound screw the gun may b e elevated or depressed with great rapidity, and great compactness of, the` parts is obtained.

lt will be seen that by turning the Ahandwheel T' the gun may be elevated or depressed without altering the trai, while by turning the hand-wheel XV' the screw W engages in the nut c and gives the gun a small lateral train relative to the slide D.

The curved band B, resting in the saddle G, allows the gun to be elevated or depressed in the said saddle, while the pin' c', fitting in the longitudinal groovebo', prevents the gun from rolling through any appreciable angle about its axis, while at the s'ame time it allows free lateral play within certain limit-s.

In field-artillery as.hithertoconstructed it has ordinarily been found necessary to point the gunA by using the trail for training pur-g, poses, and the ele'vating-gearto get the proper elevation or depression, thus requiring the services of two men, and at the same time the operation of moving lthe trail formed but a` rough and inaccurate mea-ns of'training the f gun, and the act of lifting the trail prevented the gun-servant from 'keeping the gun conr tinuously pointed atthe proper elevation.

This therefore necessitated practically s'e'pa-t rate and distinct operations for elevating and training the gun, whereas with the hereindescribed apparatus these two operations may be simultaneously performed by one man, who simply has to turn two contiguous wheels. Moreover, the operation of pointing the gun may be far more rapidly performed than under conditions that previously prevailed with field-guns. f

The various other advantages of the here- ILO iii-described construction will readily suggest themselves to any one skilled in the art.

Having thus described my invention, what Iv claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

l. In amount for artillery, the combination with a gun, of a saddle supporting said gun, an elevating-screw carried by said saddle, and a training-screw also carried by said saddle, substantially as described.

2. In a mount for artillery, the combination with a'gun, of a saddle'supporting said gun, a compound elevating-screw carried by said saddle, and means for turning the same, and a training-screw also carried by said saddle, substantially as described. i

3. In a mount for artillery, the combination with a gun provided with a spherical band thereon, of a saddle provided with a concave support for said band, an elevating-screwcarried by said saddle and connected to said gun and a training screw also carried by said saddle with mechanism operated thereby for l swinging said gun laterally in said saddle, substantially as described.

4. In a mount for artillery, the combination with agun provided with a convex band thereon, of a saddle provided with a concave support for said band, a compound elevatingscrew carried by said saddle and connected to said gun, means for turning the said screw, ro and a training-screw with mechanism operated thereby for swinging said gun laterally in said saddle, substantially as described.

5. In a mount for artillery, the combination with a gun provided'with a convex band there- [5' on, withalongitudinal groove cut in the' surface of said band, of a saddle provided with a concave support for said band, and a pin projecting from said saddle into said groove, substantially as described.

zo 6. In a mount for artillery, the combination with a gun provided with a convexband thereon, with a longitudinal groove cut in the surfaceof said band, of a saddle provided with a concave support for said band and also provided with a detachable cap, and a pin projecting through said cap into said groove, substantially as described.

7. In a mount for artillery, the combination with a gun provided with a convex band thereon, with a longitudinal groove cut in the surface of said band, of a saddle provided with a concave support for said band, and also provided with a detachable cap, and a pin projecting through said cap into said groove, an

3 5 elevating-screw carried by said saddle and connected to said gun and a training-screw also carried by said saddle with mechanism operated thereby for training the gun, substantially as described.

4o. 8. In a mount for artillery, the combination with a gun provided with a convexband thereon, with a longitudinal groove cut in the surface of said band, of a saddle provided with a concave support for said band, and also provided with a detachable cap and a pin pro'- jectingthrough said cap into said groove, a compound elevating-screw carried by said saddle and connected to said gun, and a training-screw also carried by said saddle with 5o mechanism connecting the same to said elevating-screw, and concentric hand-wheels with mechanism operated thereby for operating said elevating and training screws, substantially as described.

3 5 9. An apparatus for elevating` and depresst ing guns, comprising a compound screw having the inner member attached to the gun,aud the outer member externally screw-threaded and longitudinally slotted, a nut secured to 3o the gun carriage and engaging said outer screw-threads, a gear-wheel splined on said outer member but permitting the longitudinal motion of said outer membertherein, a pinion meshing in said gear-Wheel,and ashaft and hand -Wheel for turning said pinion, substantially as described. v

10. An apparatus for elevating and training.

guns, compris-ing a compound screw having the inner member attached to the'gun and the outer member externally screw-threaded and longitudinally slotted, a nut pivotally secured to the gun-carriage and engaging said outer screw-threads, a gear-wheel splined on said outer member but permitting the longitudinal motion of the said member therein, a pinion meshing in said gear-vheel, a shaft and hand-wheel for turning said pinion, and

mechanism for moving said nut laterally on the gun-carriage, substantially as described.

l1. An apparatus for elevating and train-ingy guns, comprising a compound screw having the inner member attached to the gun and the outer member externally screw-threaded and longitudinally slotted, a nut pivotally secured to the gun-carriage and engaging said outer screw-threads, a gear-.wheelsplined on said outer member, a pinion meshing in said gear-Wheel, a shaft and hand-wheel for turning said pinion, a frame inclosiug said pivoted nut,and a trainingscrew and hand-wheel as described.

, 9o for-moving said framelaterally, substantially l2.-l In an apparatus for elevating and training guns, the combination with a compound, Screw having the inner member attached to the gun and the outer member externally screw-threaded and longitudinally slotted,` a nut pivotallyT secured to the gun-'carriage and engaging said outer screw-threads, a gearwheel splin ed on said outer member, a pinion meshing in said gear-wheel, a shaft and handl IOO wheel for turning 'said pinion, a frame inclosing said pivoted nut, and a trainingscrew and hand-wheel concentric with the shaft and' hand-wheel foroperating the elevating-screw, whereby the said frame maybe moved laterally, substantially as described. 13. In a mount fork field-artillery, the combination with a trail, a slide secured thereto and a saddle supporting the gun and adapted to move longitudina-llyin said slide, of an axle supporting said slide andftrail, and bracketplates rigidly secured to said slide and pro- .bination with a slide, of a saddle supporting the gun and adapted to move longitudina ly in said slide, recoil-cylinders in said saddle with piston-rods secured to said slide, an axle 'les IIO

` jecting Outward and downward and provided supporting said slide and the parts carried l thereby, and bracket-plates rigidly secu red to said slide and projecting outward and downward and provided with sleeves iittin g snugly over said axle near the hubs of the wheels, substantially as described.

15. An apparatus for elevating and depressing guns comprising an elevating-screw longitudinally slotted, a nut secured to the gun-l carriage and engaging said screw, a gear- Wheel splined on said screw but permitting the longitudinal motionof said screw therein,

a pinion meshing in said gear-wheel, and a shaft and hand-Wheel for turning said pinion, substantially as described.`

16. An apparatus for elevating and training guns, comprising an elevating-screw longitudinally slotted, a nut pivotall)7 secured to the gun-carriage and engaging said screw, a

gear-wheel splin on said screw, a pinion meshingin said gear-wheel, a shaft and handwheel for turning said pinion, andmechanism for moving said nutlaterally on the guncarriage, substantially as described.

17. An apparatus 'for elevating and training guns, comprising an elevating-screw, longitudinally slotted, a nut pivotally secured to vthe gun-carriage and engaging said screw, a gear-wheel splined on said screw, a pinion meshingin said gear-wheel, a shaft and handwheel for turning said pinion, a frame in'- closing said pivoted nut and a training-screw and hand-wheel for moving said frame laterally, substantially as described.

18. An apparatus for elevating and training guns, comprisingr an elevating-screw, longitudinally slotted, a nut pivotally secured to the gun-carriage and engaging said screw, a gear-wheel splined on saidscrew, a pinion meshing in said gear-wheel, a shaft and handwheel for turning said pinion, a frame inclosing said pivoted nut'and a training-screw and hand-wheel concentric with the shaft and hand-Wheel for operating the elevating-screw whereby the said frame may be moved laterally, substantially as described.

19. In amount for field-artillery, the combination with ya gun provided with a convex band thereon, with a longitudinal groove out in the surface of said band, of a saddle provided with a concave support'for said band, and also provided with a detachable cap and a solid body held partly in said cap and partly in said groove, and adapted to prevent said gun from rotating .on its axis, substantially as described.

20. In a mount for fichi-artillery, the coinbination with a trail. a slde'secured tl1ereto,

and a saddlesuppoi ting the gun and adapted to move longitudinally in said slide, of an axle supporting said slide and trail, bracket-plates rigidly secured to the said slide and projecting outward 'and downward, and Vprovided with sleeves fitting snugly over said axle near the hubs of the wheels, and brake mechanism carried by said sleeves for locking the Wheels Aagainst backward motion when desired, -subting snugly over said axle near the hubs of.

the Wheels, a spring-operated pawl carried by each of said sleeves, anda ratchet-Wheel -rigidly lattached to the hub of thewheel and engaging said spring-operated pawl and lockin gthe wheel against backward rot-ation when desired, substantially as described.

22.- In a mount for field-artillery the com-r bination with a trail, means for supporting the gun connected to said trail, of anv axle connected to said trail, bracket-plates extending from the gun-support outward and downward and provided with sleeves iittin g snugly overthe axle near thehubs of the Wheels, substantially as described.-

23. In a mount for field-artillery, the means for preventing the wheels from rotating backward when desired, which comprise a ratchetwheel att-ached rigidly to the' hub of each wheel, a spring-operated pawl M mounted in the framework of the carriage and adapted. Ato engage said ratchet-wheel, a spring M' normally pressing said pawl forward, a retracting-eye m for drawing said pawl backward and a pin m adapted to fit in the corresponding ratchet when the pawl 'is in engagement and to bear against the f'ace of the frame when the pawl is drawn out of engagement with the ratchet-wheel, substantially as de- -i scribed. f

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of Atwo witnesses.v

Louis LABADIE Dames. y

iVitnesses:

JosIl. BLAcKwooD. F. C. YnATEs. 

